Germany’s AMUSE TO DEATH announces the release of their debut EP “Phantasmagoria” available as of November 8th, 2024. As self-described as the world’s first and only swinging-cartoon-progressive-death-metal band, they offer a combination of noir, grotesque, and surrealism. Like the slightly scary and weird aspects of classic black-and-white rubber hose cartoon animation or picture if Duke Ellington collaborated with The Black Dahlia Murder.

“I think we succeeded in capturing this slightly disturbing visual aesthetic into sound.” adds the band.

For this EP, guitarist Martin Matiasovic came up with all the basic song ideas and then everyone threw in their spices, with producer and guitarist Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger overseeing the whole process and altering things here and there.

“All in all we had around 10 demos, from which we chose the most diverse ones, to present the widest range of facets we had to offer. Songwriting and the creating process have never been a problem. Fans can expect more to come.” says the band.

Each song on “Phantasmagoria” describes a different situation, alternating moments of lucidity to weird visions. Both guitarist Martin Matiasovic and vocalist Carmen Grandi collaborated to write the lyrics. Carmen’s inspiration comes not only from fictional (books, movies) and real stories, but often from extravagant dreams she has.

The band elaborates on the EP in further detail:

“Grotesque, extreme, and experimental are the main keywords. Hot-swing horn lines meet blasting metal, and melodic hooks alternate with manic screaming. All that tied together with progressive elements like fretless bass, instrumental solos, and irregular metric structures. Both music and lyrics work together to illustrate the universe of a fictional central character named Al, who is suffering from mental illnesses and is guilty of drug abuse. His emotions, mental state, and ways of coping with his situation are topics of the EP Phantasmagoria.”

Recommended for fans of Cynic, Diablo Swing Orchestra, The Black Dahlia Murder, Leprous, and First Fragment, AMUSE TO DEATH‘s EP “Phantasmagoria” is available at the following links:

Bandcamp – https://amusetodeath.bandcamp.com​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/2OQi2Jhv4fSlIVZ1B2Cz4o?si=NDhsAVcjQ6alt1xiUK5NNA

Music Video – Ill Fated – https://youtu.be/kkb7Dbn1x2Y​

Track Listing:​
1. Ill Fated – 3:24
2. Blacktoothgrin – 3:15
3. Lowlifer – 3:57
4. The Alibi – 6:07
EP Length 16:46

Album Band Line Up:​
Carmen Grandi – Vocals
Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger – Guitars
Rouven Haliti – Bass
Defkalion Dimos – Drums
Martin Matiasovic – Guitars, Horn
​
​Live Band Line Up:​
Carmen Grandi – Vocals
Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger – Guitars
Rouven Haliti – Bass
Defkalion Dimos – Drums
Martin Matiasovic – Guitars, Horn

More info: https://amusetodeath.com/​

““III Fated” is a sonic journey that defies categorization, blending elements of swing, metal, and a whole lot of unexpected twists.” – Edgar Allan Poets